Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, Red Bull Ring, 2020

Vettel surprised after failing to reach Q3

2020 F1 season

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Sebastian Vettel said he was surprised not to reach Q3 despite Ferrari’s concerns about the performance of their car in Austria.

The team has been frank about the shortcomings of its SF1000 and is preparing an upgrade for the Hungarian Grand Prix in two week’s time.

Nonetheless Vettel admitted he did not expect to be eliminated from qualifying during Q2.

“It’s a surprise,” he said. “We thought that we had a little bit more in hand but it looks like the others were probably running a bit more fuel and more conservative in practice.

“I wasn’t quite happy with the car, I was not so happy with the car. Quite more oversteer on entry than I would like. But we’ll see I think tomorrow is a different pictures.”

Warmer conditions are expected at the Red Bull Ring tomorrow, which Vettel hopes will play into Ferrari’s hands.

“We’ll see, it’s a long race [and] I think in race trim we are always better. I think we will there to make up some ground and score some good points.”

Vettel’s team mate Leclerc was the last driver to make the cut for Q3 and went on to claim seventh place on the grid in his Ferrari.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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17 comments on “Vettel surprised after failing to reach Q3”

  1. I’m really surprised Ferrari came to Austria with the car from pre-season testing – highly unprofessional and a hint of bigger internal problems. Both Austrian races are probably going to be a torture but they definitely should be somewhere on Albon’s level with their Hungarian upgrade. If not, well, it’s going to be a pretty dire season (or two).

    1. You think redesigning and rebuilding a car takes a day or two, right?

      They already announced to introduce new car for Hungary if I am not mistaken.

      With virus closures for 2 months it is a pretty awesome schedule

    2. It might not be entirely of their own choice, as there have been a few rumours that Ferrari were hit by production problems due to issues with getting supplies for some parts they wanted to produce.

  2. All you need to know to understand is a quote by Max last year “This is what happens when you stop cheating”.

    1. And Red Bull have never, ever bent the rules – or front wings for that matter….

      1. Nice one!))

      2. @gnosticbrian thats a bit bold… RBR didnt fully bend the rules but they were really using wordings as loopholes… ferrari blatantly cheated, circumventing flow rates entirely and using extra fuel for more pulse of power boast! under declaring a significant amount of fuel also can get as dodgy as it can! when all said and done, nothing really published about the findings, and add to insult they even reached and NDA!

        1. @mysticus in 2012, Red Bull won two races – ultimately giving them enough points to win both the WDC and WCC – with a floor that the FIA later declared to be illegal in a technical directive (TD13 is the reference) and which Red Bull had to withdraw from use at the Canadian GP.

      3. @gnosticbrian

        At least Red bull cheated in a slightly less blatant fashion and won. Ferrari cheated blatantly and lost.

  3. RocketTankski
    4th July 2020, 15:52

    I predict Vettel will be right in front of the Mercedes by the end of the race. Just a few moments before he gets lapped.

    1. @RocketTankski I wouldn’t be surprised if both Ferrari-drivers got lapped by Mercedes at some point in the race, especially if it’s entirely SC-free.

  4. playstation361
    4th July 2020, 15:59

    I hope Vettel dominates.

    1. The midfield?

      1. playstation361
        5th July 2020, 0:26

        No. I hope he comes back and goes ahead. I want him to dominate.

  5. Considering Vettel’s and Benotto’s words we can safely assume the partnership is over, and nobody cares.

    I see Seb gone by the end of summer

  6. Ferrari are noobs.

    1. Amateurs.. The types that cheat and still fail.

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